The 2018/2019 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League enters first round this weekend with sixteen fixtures on the cards.
32 teams will face each other on home and away basis for the 16 slots available at the tournament’s groups’ stage.
The 16 losers will enter into the CAF Confederations Cup playoff round where they will be paired against the competition’s 1st round winners in a battle for places in the groups stage.
Liberia’s contingent, Barrack Young Controllers (BYC) were booted out on a 2-0 aggregate by Guinean giants Horoya AC.
Some of the ties to look forward to at the first round include a clash between Simba SC of Tanzania and Zambia’s Nkana FC.
Simba rolled over seasonal campaigners Mbabane Swallows of Eswatini – eliminating them 8-1 on aggregate in one of the shock results of the initial round.
The Lusaka based-side beat UD Songo 3-1 on aggregate, having won 2-1 in the first leg adding to a 1-0 win away.
As one of the emerging and well-organized teams in the Cecafa region, it will be interesting to see how Simba fair against Nkana, who have occasionally flattered to deceive.
In another tie worth the wait, surprise package Stade Malien of Mali will host Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas in the first leg. The Malian bundled out Congo giants Stade Africain 5-0 on aggregate and will be seeking to further their luck against strong Ivorian outfit.
Mimosas, though a respected side in the continent, struggled to beat Mamngo Sports of Gabon to sail through on a 1-0 aggregate.
Kenya’s Gor Mahia, who beat Nyasa Big Bullets of Malawi on aggregate to qualify, will meet Nigeria giants Lobi Stars for a ticket to the money bracket.
South Africa giants Mamelodi Sundowns will face Al Ahly Benghazi of Libya, while five times Champions League champions TP Mazambe of DR Congo will lock horns with Zambia’s Zesco United.
Defending champions Esperance of Tunisia have a straight qualification into the Group Stage draw that will be conducted before the end of the year.
Full CAF Champions League 1st round fixtures;
Constantine (Algeria) vs Vipers (Uganda)
Orlando Pirates (RSA) vs African Stars (Namibia)
TP Mazembe (DRC) vs Zesco United (Zambia)
Ismaily (Egypt) vs Coton Sport (Cameroun)
Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) vs Jaraaf (Senegal)
Al Ahly Benghazi (Libya) vs Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Al Ahly (Egypt) vs Jimma Kenema (Ethiopia)
Nkana (Zambia) vs Simba (Tanzania)
Stade Malien (Mali) vs Asec Mimosas (Ivory Coast)
AS Vita (DR Congo) vs Bantu (Lesotho)
Club Africain (Tunisia) vs Al Hilal (Sudan)
Otoho d’Oyo (Congo) vs Platinum (Zimbabwe)
Al Nasr (Libya) vs Horoya (Guinea)
Saoura (Algeria) vs IR Tanger (Morocco)
Gor Mahia (Kenya) vs Lobi Stars (Nigeria).
